Navi Mumbai, February 27: While the work on the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is going on at a fast pace, some major airlines operating on Indian and international routes have expressed their ‘unwillingness’ to start services from the new airport once it gets operational. If news in a section of media is to be believed, the Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) is facing troubles in getting major airline operators to shift operations to Navi Mumbai.
However, a source from the company termed the reports as ‘baseless.' “The reports that are appearing in media about AAHL facing troubles in getting the airlines onboard are baseless. Discussions are on with all the major airlines and their response seems to be very positive," the source known to the development said.
Statements From Different Airlines
Recently, senior officials from Akasa Air had visited the NMIAL office and seem to be very happy with the way the progress is being made to make the airport operational by March 31, 2025. Talks are on with major airline operators in the country, to come on board, the Akasa said on it's social media post.
On Indigo Airlines’ reluctance in moving their services to Navi Mumbai airport as reported in media, the airlines has said that the management has not denied to move to NMIA, but has saithat they “will have to plan the services accordingly” given the fact that the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is serving the purpose.
“As far as infrastructural development around the NMIA is concerned, the operation of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), Navi Mumbai Metro and expansion of Sion-Panvel Highway as also the proposed coastal road, has made NMIA a preferred destination for those staying in the maximum city as well as the satellite city, besides the cities nearby,” the source said.
While the change in ownership and commencement of work on NMIA site began in August, 2021, the AAHL achieved financial closure in March, 2022. The NMIAL issued a notice to proceed (NTP) to its EPC contractor L&T Construction in June, 2022 for building Phase I & II (20 MPA) facilities, the construction work for Terminal 1 building commenced in November, 2022.
Sources from AAHL said the project is being executed as per scheduled implementation plan and will be operational by March 31, 2025.
The start of operations of the NMIA is eagerly awaited by one and all. The second airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is expected to significantly decongest Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), also managed by AAHL.
The total investment of the NMIA project has been pegged at Rs 20,853 crore.
The airport was first proposed back in 1999 and would be built in over 1,160 Ha of land in its entirety, aims to handle up to 9 crore passengers and 25 lakh tonnes of cargo per year. Situated around 35 kms away from Mumbai airport, the NMIA will have two cargo terminals and one for general aviation apart from four terminals for passengers. It will offer two runways. The entire airport’s completion timeline is set for 2032.
Growing Air Traffic Towards Mumbai
CSMIA is handling close to 48.81 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and to meet the anticipated MMR air travel demand of 100 MPPA by 2034, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) granted approval for the development of airport at Navi Mumbai. NMIA, one of the world’s largest Greenfield International Airports proposed for development in the country, is planned to handle minimum of 60 million passengers and 1.5 million tonnes of cargo annually.
The airport is aimed to ease off the traffic pressure on the Mumbai airport. Along with CSMIA, the NMIA will form part of the first multi airport city system in India with excellent physical and social infrastructure making the airport technically feasible and financially viable. NMIA is being developed through PPP by setting-up a Special Purpose Company with equity contribution from the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). The Project has been accorded all major clearances including Environment & CRZ clearance and Forest / Wildlife Clearances from MoEF&CC and Defence Clearance from Ministry of Defence.
